Motiejunas' physical with Pistons in jeopardy of nixing 2 trades
Power forward Donatas Motiejunas has yet to clear his required physical after being acquired by the Detroit Pistons prior to the trade deadline, Aaron McMann of mlive.com reports.
If Motiejunas fails his physical, Thursday's trade will be nullified, meaning Marcus Thornton and Motiejunas will be sent back to the Houston Rockets, and Joel Anthony and a first-round pick will return to the Pistons.
If the Rockets-Pistons-Sixers trade is not approved, it doesn't reverse the Sixers' waiving JaKarr Sampson.
— Jessica Camerato (@JCameratoCSN) February 21, 2016
It would also nullify a second trade between the Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers, who acquired Anthony and a second-round pick from Houston right before the deadline.
Motiejunas reportedly saw a back specialist Friday in New York and was given a physical examination by team doctors Saturday. Motiejunas has yet to play a game in the new calendar year due to pain in his back. Thornton cleared his physical exam Saturday.
#Pistons doctors at DMC still evaluating results of Donatas Motiejunas' physical. He and Thornton unavailable. Trade incomplete until clear.
— David Mayo (@David_Mayo) February 21, 2016
By NBA rules, all players involved in a deal must pass a physical within 72 hours of the trade. If not, the trade can be voided. However, Pistons head coach and president Stan Van Gundy has been given an additional 24 hours, according to CSN Philly's Jessica Camerato, pushing the deadline to 6 p.m. ET on Monday.
"We've got a lot of doctors involved, so we need more time," Van Gundy said.